A quieter Chinese New Year

PHUKET: The Chinese New Year may have opened in Phuket with many a bang from strings of firecrackers, but otherwise it’s pretty quiet, an informal survey by the Gazette indicated today. Fresh food sellers, jewelers and other retailers in Phuket responded with much the same bottom-line answer: sales are down. Usually gold, symbolizing wealth and good fortune, is given to children at this time. But this year, spokespeople at both the Nopakhaw Gold Jewelry Shop and the Rassada Gold Shop said people seem to prefer to give cash because the current price of gold makes jewelry more expensive. Jaraporn Jiwavisitthinont, owner of the Nopakhaw shop, said, “Customers are buying gold to wear themselves, which is different from other years. When gold was cheaper, people could afford to buy gifts for their children or grandchildren.” Rungrudee Chairattananukul, who has a stall in Ranong Rd, Phuket Town, selling noodles, fish-balls and other special foods traditionally offered to the gods, blamed an erosion of tradition among the young who “buy ready-made food because it saves time”. But she agreed that it might also be because the Thai economy is not good these days. Winyu Boonlert, a vegetable merchant in Ranong Rd, said, “I hoped to sell more vegetables this Chinese New Year, but I don’t know what’s happened; I have less income. But I think it will be better next year.” Even children are finding the going tougher, it seems. Five-year-old Jatuporn “Aob” Danaisiriphong, of Phuket Town, said, “This year I got Ang-Pao [pink or red envelopes containing money, which parents and relatives give to children] but it was about half the money I got last year.”

UPDATE: Water truck driver presents himself to police after motorcycle death on Kata hill

A water truck driver has presented himself to Karon Police after yesterday’s road accident on Kata Hill that killed a female motorcycle rider.

She died after skidding on oil spilled on the road, falling off the motorbike and being crushed by a water truck in Kata last night. Two others motorists following being also crashed and sustained injuries.

This morning the water truck driver, Apichart Sripan, has himself to Karon Police for questioning over the incident.

Karon Police report that a drug and alcohol test has been conducted returning a zero result. But he has been charged with reckless driving causing injury and death.

In our earlier report, police say witnesses report the truck stopped 100 metres down the road. They say the driver got out of the truck to inspect the wheels. Witnesses tried to take photo of him but he got back into his truck and sped away.

Motorbike driver dies, another person injured after car driver slams into them

A female motorbike driver has died while a male car driver has sustained injuries after a second car driver fell asleep at the wheel in Thalang crashing into them.

The incident happened on Srisoonthorn Road in Thalang at 2pm yesterday (Wednesday).

Police and emergency responders arrived to find a damaged motorbike and two damaged cars.

Police report that the car driver, Dechawat Taechanitisawat, fell asleep at the wheel. He lost control of his vehicle before colliding with the motorbike whose driver was 34 year old Ms Tanakorn Chadaphon and another car driven by 39 year old Pradit Ruecha.

They were both rushed to Thalang Hospital where Ms Tanakorn was later pronounced dead.

Police are continuing their investigation and will charge Dechawat Taechanitisawat.

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